Our Christmas decorating is a gradual process through the month. Usually put up the outside lights and wreath first, along with the Christmas quilts inside over TG weekend. Then the Christmas village and a few inside decorations. Tree doesn't go up till closer to Christmas, just because that's how it was in my childhood. Also, when the kids were home wanted the tree up early, they expected to see presents under it immediately! But I wasn't always ready for that!! Usually we leave things up till Jan. 6 to enjoy it for a while, since it takes a while to put it out. But this year, due to a sudden trip to a terminally ill relative and subsequent funeral and a 36-hour power outage Thanksgiving eve and day,due to a heavy, wet snow, my psyche is scrambled and have to push the "reset" button and figure out a revised plan! Maybe simpler will be better. And there is always next year!